Yes, I am Knitting Circles Around Socks!

(This one's for you, Nancy.)

I never dreamed I'd knit socks, but thanks to a random encounter with another customer in the yarn department of a hobby store a couple of years ago, I began to think about (consider, ruminate on, muse, mull over) the possibility. Knitting is a pleasant way to pass the time as I visit with other ballerina moms in the studio lobby. I have knitted scarves and afghans in many colors and patterns, a variety of hats, and even a baby sweater or two. But socks seem so complicated.

Then my sister, ever the encourager, took up the cause, recommending favorite needles, patterns, and suggesting that I get some self-striping yarn. She even sent me some gorgeous, colorful socks she had knitted!

Cautiously, I purchased supplies for my first attempt. The self-striping yarn worked its magic, as did the amazing process where you take 4 or 5 "pointed on both ends" sticks, looping and passing yarn back and forth, and you end up with a tube of fabric that fits your foot! (Who thought this up? I can understand looking at the wool on an animal, or the fibers in a boll, and coming up with twisting it into yarn...but who dreamed up knitting?)

Two years of knitting later, I find I have made several pairs of socks. My oh-so-helpful sister has talked me through a better heel flap, turning the heels on socks where I had sort-of made up the pattern, and grafting the toes. Now, with the help of a delightful book by Antje Gillingham, I am about to complete my first pair (knitted at the same time) on two circular needles. I confess, it has taken three attempts, and some prayer, for my brain to begin to grasp the concept. As you can see, I have made it through the "easy" legs and heel flaps, and have even turned the heels and picked up gusset stitches. I am in the "gusset decreases and working the foot" stage, then I'll shape the toes, perform the amazing toe graft...and a pair, completed together.

So, thanks random customer in the yarn department; thanks whoever thought up knitting in the first place; thanks Nancy, for your encouragement and instruction; thanks Antje Gillingham, and all other brilliant knitters who write books and post instructions to motivate us to try something new.

What will you do to encourage or motivate someone today?